A ceremonial groundbreaking event today marked the beginning of construction for the first new student residence hall at UH Manoa since the late 1970s.

Developers American Campus Communities (ACC) expect the new twin-tower Frear Hall complex to be completed and ready for student occupancy as the fall semester begins in 2008.

Last month, university Regents approved a development agreement and construction contract with ACC and a financing plan that pays for the new dorm with $25 million in general obligation bonds and $46 million in revenue bonds, both appropriated through the Hawaiʻi State Legislature in 2005.

"This is a landmark day for UH Manoa," said Chancellor Denise Konan. "This is a perfect way to proceed toward our Centennial commemoration that begins in a few weeks, and a perfect way to demonstrate to our students that community matters.

"We are committed to fulfill university policy that 25 percent of our students have the opportunity to live on campus," Konan added. "Our investment today will pay off in students who are more engaged in their educational experience in the years ahead."

The new Frear complex — which will provide more than 800 new bed spaces for students in two 12-story towers — replaces "old" Frear, constructed in the mid-1950s as a women‘s dormitory for 144 students. The building had fallen into serious disrepair and had not been occupied by students since 1997.

The Frear Hall name memorializes Mary Dillingham Frear who served as a UH Regent from 1920-1943.